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Well, I’ve been back from my first trip to Ireland and have gone through all the photos with relish (and a cup of tea). So many terrific memories and meeting great people. So here are a couple of my favorite areas. Now some people told me that you shouldn’t go to Belfast -too many fights, bombings, etc. Well, nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, they have had their differences. But the people have worked out some differences and the 30′ high gates are open.. Here is how one side decorated the fence. The gates/fence were all about 30′ tall. This was to keep the Molotov cocktails from being tossed. You could view this as graffiti or as artwork.

They have the Black Cab tours which are conducted by the locals and give you a tour of the City. The City is continuing to work out differences and rebuild. We did tour the Titanic Museum which was sad but very informative.

This photo was taken at Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. (I’ve tried to get it posted the portrait way and not landscape but have failed) The landscape is truly amazing and that day we had terrific weather. The stones are not carved. The shape juts up and is amazing. You can get an audio tour which tells you the history and folklore of the area. I could have spent all day there hiking on the rocks and just breathing the ocean air.

From there, we headed back towards Ireland. Each hotel was top rated, great staff, wonderful food and very accommodating. Now this tour was listed as a Quilt tour but we went to so many historic places, museums, famine ships and castles. One party was a Grandmother, Mother and 2 daughter group. Since one of the daughters didn’t quilt, she was able to do a horseback ride while we were at a famine/workhouse tour. So you can do other things as long as they fit into the time schedule. Just be upfront with your tour people and things can be arranged.

My favorite city was Galway. It is so vibrant and filled with art and music. Again, friendly people, great food and the locals are wonderful. We went to the Aran Islands (Inishmore) and was able to climb to the top and look over the cliff. It was the perfect boat ride over and back. Again, great food, wonderful people and some great shops. I just followed the others and got on my hands and knees to creep up to the edge. However, I did creep to almost the edge for a photo. It’s a far drop below , and it is a stunning view. The photo below is the hike up to the former castle.

We also visited Malahide Castle, Kylemore and the Rock of Cashel. Each one so full of great photos and history.

If you have the chance, save up your money, get your passport ready and go visit. I would love to go back right now but have decided to do Scotland next year with the same tour organization (www.celticquilttours.com). Our group consisted of Canadians and Americans. We ranged from hand quilters, long-armers, designers, wool workers, appliquers, etc. Just remember to get pounds and Euro’s before you go and get a Horizon VAT card. You get money back when you swipe your card at the airport before going home. Also this trip was made special because we had an awesome driver. Tony, from Kerry Coaches, knows the roads, the histroy, the jokes and how to keep the tour on time. He was the best,

So to keep my Irish feel going, I watch Quiet Man, Secret of Roan Inish, The Commitments, and listen to the Merry Ploughboy band (they have a great Pub in Dublin that is worth the visit). I also have a cuppa Irish Afternoon tea as well. I leave you with this photo of foxglove from the Kylemore Abbey.

Let me tell you about Road – it is the most fun, people packed week for quilters. It is held in Ontario right around Martin Luther King Day. There are classes with long arm machines, hand piecing, crazy quilting, paper piecing and many others. Check out the webpage http://www.road2ca.com for more information. The quilt in this picture was done by the instructor, and this is one class I was hesitant to take. Curves have never been my friend – either in quilting or on the body (little humor). I am blanking out on her name but she is in the San Diego area and has published a few books of patterns.

But I took the class and really enjoyed it. I have conquered curves – at least with fabric. And speaking of fabric….

I spent New Year’s Day putting away fabric I had purchased earlier this year and also any fabric I had sitting out. Then I put together a top with some borders (picture later) and pulled together fabric for one of my classes at Road to California. Normally I will go to the fabric store and buy specific fabric for the class. This year – I am working through the stash of fabric. In two of my three classes, it will be stash fabric. My third class is done with felt and the kit will be sold by the instructor.

So if you aren’t busy January 24-27th, stop by the Ontario convention Center. This is for quilters, crafts people (you should see the crystals, buttons and stencils that are offered), dress designers, or anyone who likes to sew. Plenty of sewing machines, both regular, long arm, embroidery, etc. Hope to see you there. Also, the most amazing quilts on display – it is an overload of color and wonderfulness.

Sometimes you see a bolt of fabric and just have to purchase a couple of yards. You think to yourself, “I don’t know which pattern I’ll use, but this is something I have to have.” So you buy a few yards – with me it is usually around 4 yds. I the main fabric at Center Diamond in Cannon Beach, OR.

This pattern is called “Twist around the Garden”. I think the designer called it that because they used a large floral print and used green to frame it. My main fabric looked like it belonged in an Italian palazzo so I named my quilt “Italian Marble.”

Previously I have made this same pattern with cowboy fabric and the addtional fabric was done in bandana farbic and some with horseshoes. The accent (which would be the dark green in this picture) had fabric that looked like hay bales. It makes a cute kid quilt. If you use “baby” type fabric, use Minkee as the backing – makes it super warm. I used the longarm Gammil quilt machine at Quilter’s Garden in Anaheim to finish off the top. Someday, I will take the plunge and use my Bernina 440 – but that’s another story.

I love this design. J Frisch takes each letter and does a fabulous job. The first time I made the quilt, the colors were a bit more subdued with pastels. Last time, it had a circus theme.

This year, it is bright and colorful. I put a red minkee backing and did the quilting on the longarm. Minkee fabric is so soft and inviting. The nice thing is the quilting really shows up. The longarm pattern was ABC 123. Some quilt stores carry this line – I bought mine online

Even if the nervous parents don’t use it as a blanket, it makes a nice wall hanging so add a sleeve on the back or offer to add one.

Thanks for reading. I may just have to make another one. So many babies at work.